England’s Oliver Fisher made European Tour history by becoming the first player to shoot the iconic 59 during the second round of the Portugal Masters.
Fisher picked up 10 shots in his first 12 holes on day two of the Portugal Masters to share the lead and threaten the first 59 in European Tour history.
The Englishman began the day eight shots behind overnight leader Lucas Herbert but his incredible run of scoring moved him to 10 under alongside the Australian and local favourite Ricardo Gouveia.
This event has seen others come close to a 59 in recent seasons, with Scott Jamieson in 2013 and Nicolas Colsaerts in 2014 both having putts on their last hole to get to the magic number.
After turning in 28 to match Suttijet Kooratanapisan’s lowest nine of the season from the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, Fisher birdied the 10th, 11th and 12th to maintain his momentum.
A lengthy par save at the 16th was backed up by a two-putt birdie on the 17th which sent the Englishman down the last needing a par to win.
After finding the middle of the fairway, a slight pull narrowly avoided the water leaving him 30 feet from history. His birdie try shaved the edge before he composed himself and tapped in his 59th and final shot of the round.
‘It’s a great feeling,’ he said. ‘It feels great to make history here in Portugal. It’s a great tournament and it’s great for the European Tour and obviously myself to shoot 59.
‘I was chuffed with the day. When I went out I was at level par and trying to make the cut, and then shooting that, it was just a great day all round.
‘It was fun, I tried to enjoy it and thankfully I got over the line.’
